The Challenges

The project posed five significant challenges. The new residence hall needed to be completed in 24 months to house at least 340 students. It had to reinforce a new pedestrian circulation system and form the western edge of a new campus quadrangle. Every bedroom had to have two windows, one for each student, yet the building had to be economical to build and maintain. Finally, the building’s architectural image had to work contextually with surrounding buildings.

The Approach

Working closely with the college, SMMA quickly developed a program for the facility, established design parameters and concept, and developed a project implementation plan and schedule with the construction manager.

SMMA refined the campus master plan to establish a stronger east/west pedestrian connection through the Main and East campuses and to develop a new “living and learning” cultural quadrangle featuring the new residence and a new performing arts facility already under design. The proposed suites building formed the western edge of the cultural quad. An existing roadway was relocated to re-route traffic and create a pedestrian focus, and a stronger image, for that part of the campus.

SMMA’s design called for a six-story, 120,000 sf structure that related architecturally to three different vernaculars: the Georgian architecture of the former hospital, nearby post-modern student housing, and the neo-gothic theater arts building concurrently under design and construction.

In response to the schedule and budget, SMMA issued early steel and pre-cast packages within nine weeks of project award. Construction documents were issued 14 weeks later, and the project was completed for fall occupancy 15 months after that. Budget control was integral to the design process, with continuous pricing through all phases. In addition, SMMA led a formal value engineering charette prior to GMP pricing to ensure that the budget would be met without sacrificing design quality or a reduction in the number of beds.

The completed suites residence houses 344 students in 71 suites, of which 30 are 3-bedroom and the remainder 2-bedroom units. Each bedroom accommodates two students and has windows on two different exposures. Suitemates enjoy their own living room, kitchenette, and toilette/bath facilities.

Lounge/study areas are provided on each floor, convenient to elevator and stairs, to foster small social neighborhoods. In addition, SMMA created a large commons on the second floor for use by all residents.

The Result

The new residence, referred to as Suites Hall, has surpassed the College’s goals. Completed slightly ahead of schedule and on budget, it has just been honored with a Silver Award in the Brick Industry Association’s 2007 Brick in Home Building competition.

Architecturally designed with a strong geometric order, the residence hall distinctively defines the new cultural quad, yet relates to nearby buildings in scale, use of materials, and architectural expression.

Suites Hall, along with the recently completed Smith Center for the Arts, has revitalized the East Campus. In fact the residence hall is making an unanticipated contribution to student life -- the large second-floor commons attracts so many students that access has been opened to the entire campus. Now students, faculty, and guests gather there as often for special events and receptions as they do for casual get-togethers.